Nashville Predators Make Costly Move, Buy Out Matt Duchene

Nashville Predators Buy Out Matt Duchene

A Surprising Decision

The Nashville Predators have made a significant move by deciding to buy out forward Matt Duchene’s contract. Duchene had three seasons remaining on his $8MM AAV free-agent contract that he signed a few years ago. This decision will save the Predators $5.44MM against the salary cap this season, $2.44MM next season, and $1.44MM the following season. However, it will cost them $1.55MM from 2026-27 through 2028-29.

After the buyout, Duchene’s cap hit on Nashville’s books will be as follows:
– 2023-24: $2.56MM
– 2024-25: $5.56MM
– 2025-26: $6.56MM
– 2026-27: $1.56MM
– 2027-28: $1.56MM
– 2028-29: $1.56MM

A Declining Production

This decision to buy out Duchene comes as a surprise considering he was a prolific scorer just one season ago, with 43 goals and 86 points. However, this past season, Duchene’s production dropped to 22 goals and 56 points in 71 games. While these numbers are still respectable, they do not justify his $8MM cap hit. The Predators, with their focus on a youth movement in their forward lines, have decided to prioritize giving playing time to their younger players.

A Failed Experiment

Duchene was originally signed by the Predators to be their top-line center, a role they had long yearned for. However, it quickly became evident that Duchene was most effective playing as a wing. The Predators’ dream of a deep center corps featuring Duchene, Ryan Johansen, and Kyle Turris quickly evaporated, with all three players no longer on the team.

Room for Fresh Faces

The decision to buy out Duchene is part of the new regime led by Barry Trotz, who values cleaning house and making way for younger players in the offensive lineup. The Predators will have $11.55MM of cap space tied up in dead money for the Turris and Duchene buyouts, as well as salary retention on Johansen’s deal, by 2024-25. However, they believe that providing opportunities to their fresh faces on offense is a higher priority than hoping for a bounce-back season from Duchene.

Duchene’s Future

With his contract bought out, Duchene will now have the chance to enter the free agent market at the age of 32. Though he may not be the superstar he appeared to be earlier in his career, Duchene is still a highly regarded offensive player who is likely to garner interest from teams looking to add skill to their lineup. In a thin free agent class for centers, Duchene’s previous reputation as an NHL first-line center will work in his favor when negotiating his next contract.

Injury Concerns

Teams interested in signing Duchene will need to carefully examine the finger injury he suffered late in the season with Nashville. He underwent two surgeries to repair the finger, but fortunately, no tendons were damaged, and doctors expect him to make a full recovery by June. However, potential suitors will have to monitor the state of Duchene’s finger and assess whether he is the right player to commit scarce cap dollars to sign, considering his injury history and declining production.

Overall, the Nashville Predators’ decision to buy out Matt Duchene’s contract reveals their commitment to a new vision and a focus on developing young talent. Duchene, on the other hand, now has an opportunity to find a new team and prove his worth as a skilled offensive player. It will be interesting to see where Duchene lands in the free agent market and how he will perform in the next chapter of his career.